Fleet fun brings Saturday smiles
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Graham Widmer, 2, enjoys the view from the seat of a John Deere tractor at the Farragut fleet event on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Mayor Bob Leonard Park. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Officers Kyle Bothof, left, and Jill Herman smiled with Dolly during the Fun with Farragut’s Fleet event. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Sloan Wells, 1, checked out the inside view of a fire truck. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Officer J.D. Ferguson showed young Reese the ropes of a police motorcycle. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Ava and Haley Tracy share smiles during the event. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Andrew and Ashton Mills smile for a photo with their child. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Max and Nora Ward show off their construction hats during Fun with Farragut’s Fleet. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Representatives from Vulcan, from left: Frankie Beech, Rose Moffett, Eugene Davidson, Donald Luallen, Mark Leitch, Don Bryant and Thomas Vega. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Representatives from SRM Concrete: Greg Evans, Cameron Martin, Adam Godsey, Tony Langenderfer and Tanner Coley. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Mikey Turner enjoyed the view from a concrete truck. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Ali Drake pauses for a photo with her children during Fun with Farragut’s Fleet. - Photos by Jake Nichols
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Gabby Ortiz showed her children around the trucks that filled the parking lot. - Photos by Jake Nichols
On Saturday morning, Aug. 22, the parking lot at Mayor Bob Leonard Park was abuzz with activity.
Vehicles ranging from tractors to trucks to police motorcycles and cars stood ready for children to come sit inside to experience each one, as the Town of Farragut hosted its annual Fun with Farragut’s Fleet event.
The summertime special is free for all ages, and it gave families a chance to connect with plenty of different vehicles used for Town equipment and others from local businesses as well.
“I don’t have a number of years on it, but this is one of our long-standing annual events,” said Rachel Malone, the Town of Farragut’s Recreation and Event manager. “Probably about as long as the park has been around.”
Malone emphasized the fun, educational combo she observed as people made their way around to see machinery of all shapes and sizes.
“I think the parents really enjoy it as well, and it’s a really good time to connect with all the companies in the community that do this type of work,” Malone said. “And it’s great to involve our parks management public works team as well, so it’s always really neat. I see the parents talking to the vendors and people running the equipment.”
Saturday’s event was a bit different than years’ past, as the Town held an inaugural sensory hour from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
For this hour, horns and lights were turned off to create a less stimulating environment.
“From 8:30 to 9:30, we asked everyone not to do horns or flashing lights or sirens or anything, and then from 9:30 to 11, it was full force,” Malone said. “So all the kids could honk horns, which they love to do. But we wanted to offer a space that is great for younger kids, too, and if anyone has any sensory sensitivities, they could still come out and enjoy the event.”
